1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:04,720 Section 12 of the Case Book of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur 2 00:00:04,720 --> 00:00:07,840 Conan Doyle This Librivox recording is in the public 3 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:13,280 domain, Read by Thomas Copeland. Story 12 The Adventure of the 4 00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:17,160 Retired Colour Man. Sherlock Holmes was in a 5 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:19,880 melancholy and philosophic mood that morning. 6 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:23,720 His alert, practical nature was subject to such reactions. 7 00:00:24,240 --> 00:00:26,280 Did you see him? He asked. 8 00:00:26,800 --> 00:00:29,480 You mean the old fellow who has just gone out? 9 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:31,960 Precisely. Yes. 10 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:34,680 I met him at the door. What did you think of him? 11 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:38,000 A pathetic, futile, broken creature. 12 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:41,960 Exactly. What's in pathetic and futile? 13 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:45,280 But is not all life pathetic and futile? 14 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:51,240 Is not his story a microcosm of the whole we reach, we grasp, 15 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:53,800 and what is left in our hands at the end? 16 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:57,760 A shadow or worse than a shadow? Misery. 17 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:02,760 Is he one of your clients? Well, I suppose I may call him. 18 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:05,319 So. He has been sent on by the yard, 19 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:09,240 just as medical men occasionally send their incurables to a 20 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:11,800 quack. They argue that they can do 21 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:15,120 nothing more, and that whatever happens, the patient can be no 22 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:18,120 worse than he is. What is the matter? 23 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:21,840 Holmes took a rather soiled card from the table. 24 00:01:23,320 --> 00:01:27,280 Josiah Amberley. He says he was junior partner of 25 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:30,800 Brickfallen Amberley, who are manufacturers of artistic 26 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:33,600 materials. You will see their names upon 27 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:37,280 paint boxes. He made his little pile, retired 28 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:42,440 from business at the age of 61, bought a house in Lewisham and 29 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:46,360 settled down to rest. After a life of ceaseless grind, 30 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,000 one would think his future was tolerably assured. 31 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:54,400 Yes, indeed. Holmes glanced over some notes 32 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:56,640 which he had scribbled upon the back of an envelope. 33 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:04,120 Retired in 1896, Watson early in 1897 he married a woman 20 years 34 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:07,240 younger than himself. A good looking woman too, if the 35 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:11,960 photograph does not flatter. A competence, a wife, leisure. 36 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:14,960 It seemed a straight Rd. which lay before him. 37 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:19,680 And yet within two years he is, as you have seen, as broken and 38 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:21,680 miserable. A creature as crawls beneath the 39 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:24,240 sun. But what has happened? 40 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:28,680 The old story Watson, a treacherous friend and a fickle 41 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:31,040 wife. It would appear that Amberley 42 00:02:31,040 --> 00:02:34,200 has one hobby in life and it is chess. 43 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:38,000 Not far from him, at Lewisham, there lives a young Doctor Who 44 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:41,680 is also a chess player. I have noted his name as Doctor 45 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:44,600 Ray Ernest. Ernest was frequently in the 46 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:48,160 house and an intimacy between him and Mrs. Amberley was a 47 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:51,880 natural sequence. For you must admit that our 48 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:55,640 unfortunate client has few outward graces, whatever his 49 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:59,080 inner virtues may be. The couple went off together 50 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:03,760 last week, destination untraced. What is more, the faithless 51 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:07,240 spouse carried off the old man's deed box as her personal 52 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:10,560 luggage, with a good part of his life savings within. 53 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:14,240 Can we find the lady? Can we save the money? 54 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:19,000 A commonplace problem so far as it has developed, and yet a 55 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:23,400 vital one for Josiah Amberly. What would you do about it? 56 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:28,400 Well, the immediate question, my dear Watson, happens to be what 57 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:32,120 will you do if you will be good enough to understudy me? 58 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:36,760 You know that I am preoccupied with this case of the two Coptic 59 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:39,560 patriarchs, which should come to a head today. 60 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:42,920 I really have not time to go out to Lewisham. 61 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:46,360 And yet evidence taken on the spot has a special value. 62 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:49,720 The old fellow was quite insistent that I should go, but 63 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:52,720 I explained my difficulty. He is prepared to meet a 64 00:03:52,720 --> 00:03:56,320 representative by all means. I answered. 65 00:03:56,920 --> 00:04:00,760 I confess I don't see that I can be a much service, but I am 66 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:04,960 willing to do my best. And so it was that on a summer 67 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:08,120 afternoon I set forth to Lewisham, little dreaming that 68 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:11,480 within a week the affair in which I was engaging would be 69 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:16,120 the eager debate of All England. It was late that evening before 70 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:19,120 I returned to Baker Street and gave an account of my mission. 71 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:24,040 Holmes lay with his gaunt figure stretched in his deep chair, his 72 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:28,280 pipe curling forth slow wreaths of acrid tobacco, while his 73 00:04:28,280 --> 00:04:32,200 eyelids drooped over his eyes so lazily that he might almost have 74 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:36,160 been asleep were it not that at any halt or questionable passage 75 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:40,480 of my narrative they half lifted, and two grey eyes, as 76 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:43,520 bright and keen as rapiers, transfixed me with their 77 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:47,240 searching glance. The Haven is the name of Mr. 78 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:49,680 Josiah Amberley's house. I explained. 79 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:52,360 I think it would interest you, Holmes. 80 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:56,040 It is like some penurious patrician who has sunk into the 81 00:04:56,040 --> 00:04:59,560 company of his inferiors. You know that particular 82 00:04:59,560 --> 00:05:02,920 quarter, the monotonous brick streets, the weary suburban 83 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:06,080 highways. Right in the middle of them, a 84 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:10,040 little island of ancient culture and comfort, lies this old home 85 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:14,640 surrounded by a high sun baked wall mottled with lichens and 86 00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:17,480 topped with Moss. The sort of wall cut out the 87 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:20,040 poetry, Watson, said Holmes severely. 88 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:25,600 I note that it was a high brick wall exactly. 89 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:29,200 I should not have known which was the haven had I not asked a 90 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:30,960 lounger who was smoking in the street. 91 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:33,480 I have a reason for mentioning him. 92 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:37,880 He was a tall, dark, heavily moustached, rather military 93 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:40,480 looking man. He nodded in answer to my 94 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:44,360 inquiry and gave me a curiously questioning glance which came 95 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:46,120 back to my memory a little later. 96 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:50,760 I had hardly entered the gateway before I saw Mr. Amberley coming 97 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:53,720 down the drive. I only had a glimpse of him this 98 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:56,880 morning, and he certainly gave me the impression of a strange 99 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,880 creature. But when I saw him in full light 100 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:02,280 his appearance was even more abnormal. 101 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:07,080 I have, of course, studied it, and yet I should be interested 102 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:09,040 to have your impression, said Holmes. 103 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:13,920 He seemed to me like a man who was literally bowed down by 104 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:16,520 care. His back was curved, as though 105 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:20,000 he carried a heavy burden, yet he was not the weakling that I 106 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:23,160 had at first imagined, for his shoulders and chest have the 107 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:27,160 framework of a giant, though his figure tapers away into a pair 108 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:31,720 of spindled legs, left shoe wrinkled, right one smooth. 109 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:35,600 I did not observe that. No, you wouldn't. 110 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:41,320 I spotted his artificial limb, But proceed I was struck by the 111 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:44,560 snaky locks of grizzled hair which curled from under his old 112 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:49,160 straw hat, and his face with its fierce, eager expression, and 113 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:53,720 the deeply lined features. Very good, Watson, what did he 114 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:57,120 say? He began pouring out the story 115 00:06:57,120 --> 00:06:59,880 of his grievances. We walked down the drive 116 00:06:59,880 --> 00:07:02,440 together, and of course I took a good look round. 117 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:05,040 I have never seen a worse kept place. 118 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:09,040 The garden was all running to seed, giving me an impression of 119 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:12,480 wild neglect in which the plants had been allowed to find the way 120 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:16,280 of nature rather than of art. How any decent woman could have 121 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:18,680 tolerated such a state of things I don't know. 122 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:23,120 The house, too, was slatternly to the last degree, but the poor 123 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:26,720 man seemed himself to be aware of it and to be trying to remedy 124 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:30,080 it, for a great pot of green paint stood in the centre of the 125 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:33,520 hall, and he was carrying a thick brush in his left hand. 126 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:35,800 He had been working on the woodwork. 127 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:41,000 He took me into his dingy sanctum, and we had a long chat. 128 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:43,760 Of course he was disappointed that you would not come 129 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:47,520 yourself. I hardly expected, he said, that 130 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:51,040 so humble an individual as myself, especially after my 131 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:54,400 heavy financial loss, could obtain the complete attention of 132 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:57,000 so famous a man as Mr. Sherlock Holmes. 133 00:07:58,040 --> 00:08:01,160 I assured him that the financial question did not arise. 134 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:06,120 No, of course it is art for art's sake with him, said he. 135 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:10,280 But even on the artistic side of crime, he might have found 136 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:14,160 something here to study. And human nature, Doctor Watson, 137 00:08:14,520 --> 00:08:19,200 the black ingratitude of it all. When did I ever refuse one of 138 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:22,520 her requests? Was ever a woman so pampered? 139 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:26,320 And that young man, he might have been my own son. 140 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:30,640 He had the run of my house and yet see how they have treated 141 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:32,640 me. Oh, Doctor Watson, it is a 142 00:08:32,640 --> 00:08:37,360 dreadful, dreadful world. That was the burden of his song. 143 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:41,000 For an hour or more he had, it seems, no suspicion of an 144 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:43,559 intrigue. They lived alone, save for a 145 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:46,520 woman who comes in by the day and leaves every evening at 146 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:49,640 6:00. On that particular evening old 147 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:53,800 Amberley, wishing to give his wife a treat, had taken 2 upper 148 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:55,880 circle seats at the Haymarket Theatre. 149 00:08:56,480 --> 00:08:59,600 At the last moment she had complained of a headache and had 150 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:02,200 refused to go. He had gone alone. 151 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:05,600 There seemed to be no doubt about the fact, for he produced 152 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:08,280 the unused ticket which he had taken for his wife. 153 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:13,640 That is remarkable. Most remarkable, said Holmes, 154 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,200 whose interest in the case seemed to be rising. 155 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:20,240 Pray continue, Watson, I find your narrative most arresting. 156 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:22,600 Did you personally examine this ticket? 157 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:26,120 You did not, perchance, take the number? 158 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:30,400 It so happens that I did. I answered with some pride. 159 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:34,720 It chanced to be my old school #31 and so it stuck in my head. 160 00:09:35,440 --> 00:09:39,360 Excellent, Watson. His seat then was either 30 or 161 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:41,720 32. Quite so. 162 00:09:41,760 --> 00:09:43,720 I answered with some mystification. 163 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:48,160 And on B row that is most satisfactory. 164 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:52,000 What else did he tell you? He showed me his strong room as 165 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:54,680 he called it. It is really a strong room, like 166 00:09:54,680 --> 00:09:57,120 a bank with iron door and shutter. 167 00:09:57,320 --> 00:10:01,200 Burglar proof as he claimed. However, the woman seems to have 168 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:04,480 had a duplicate key and between them they had carried off some 169 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,120 £7000 worth of cash and securities. 170 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:11,840 Securities. How could they dispose of those? 171 00:10:12,560 --> 00:10:15,720 He said that he had given the police a list and that he hoped 172 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:19,160 they would be unsalable. He had got back from the theatre 173 00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:22,160 about midnight and found the place plundered, the door and 174 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:24,240 window open and the fugitives gone. 175 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:28,520 There was no letter or message, nor has he heard a word since. 176 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,080 He at once gave the alarm to the police. 177 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:36,960 Holmes brooded for some minutes. You say he was painting. 178 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:41,280 What was he painting? Well, he was painting the 179 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:44,840 passage, but he had already painted the door and woodwork of 180 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:48,320 this room I spoke of. Does it not strike you as a 181 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:51,000 strange occupation in the circumstances? 182 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:54,800 One must do something to ease an aching heart. 183 00:10:55,280 --> 00:11:00,080 That was his own explanation. It was eccentric, no doubt, but 184 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:04,960 he is clearly an eccentric man. He tore up one of his wife's 185 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:09,200 photographs in my presence, tore it up furiously in a Tempest of 186 00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:12,480 passion. I never wished to see her damned 187 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:14,400 face again. He shrieked. 188 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:19,680 Anything more, Watson? Yes, one thing which struck me 189 00:11:19,680 --> 00:11:22,800 more than anything else. I had driven to the Blackheath 190 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:26,520 station and had caught my train there when, just as it was 191 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:30,040 starting, I saw a man dart into the carriage next to my own. 192 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:33,280 You know that I have a quick eye for faces, Holmes. 193 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:36,920 It was undoubtedly the tall, dark man whom I had addressed in 194 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:39,960 the street. I saw him once more at London 195 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:42,560 Bridge, and then I lost him in the crowd. 196 00:11:43,120 --> 00:11:45,440 But I am convinced that he was following me. 197 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:51,720 No doubt, No doubt, said Holmes. A tall, dark, heavily moustached 198 00:11:51,720 --> 00:11:54,480 man, you say? With Gray tinted sunglasses. 199 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:58,960 Holmes, you're a wizard. I did not say so, but he had 200 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:03,960 Gray tinted sunglasses and a Masonic tie pin, Holmes. 201 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:08,000 Quite simple, my dear Watson. But let us get down to what is 202 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:10,720 practical. I must admit to you that the 203 00:12:10,720 --> 00:12:14,640 case which seemed to me to be so absurdly simple as to be hardly 204 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:17,960 worth my notice is rapidly assuming a very different 205 00:12:17,960 --> 00:12:20,880 aspect. It is true that though in your 206 00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:23,760 mission you have missed everything of importance, yet 207 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:26,440 even those things which have intruded themselves upon your 208 00:12:26,440 --> 00:12:28,360 notice give rise to serious thought. 209 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:32,760 What have I missed? Don't be hurt, my dear fellow. 210 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:35,040 You know that I am quite impersonal. 211 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:37,440 No one else would have done better. 212 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:41,680 Some possibly not so well, but clearly you have missed some 213 00:12:41,680 --> 00:12:44,640 vital points. What is the opinion of the 214 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:47,120 neighbors about this man Amberley and his wife? 215 00:12:47,480 --> 00:12:52,200 That surely is of importance. What of Doctor Ernest, Was he 216 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:54,440 the gay lothario one would expect? 217 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:58,560 With your natural advantages Watson, every lady is your 218 00:12:58,560 --> 00:13:01,920 helper and accomplice. What about the girl at the post 219 00:13:01,920 --> 00:13:04,120 office or the wife of the greengrocer? 220 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:07,520 I can picture you whispering soft nothings with the young 221 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:11,040 lady at the Blue Anchor and receiving hard somethings in 222 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:14,080 exchange. All this you have left undone, 223 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:18,360 which can still be done. It has been done. 224 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:21,320 Thanks to the telephone and the help of the yard, I can usually 225 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:23,560 get my essentials without leaving this room. 226 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:27,320 As a matter of fact, my information confirms the man's 227 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:30,240 story. He has the local repute of being 228 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:33,120 a miser as well as a harsh and exacting husband. 229 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:37,280 That he had a large sum of money in that strong room of his is 230 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:40,560 certain. So also is it that young Doctor 231 00:13:40,560 --> 00:13:44,560 Ernest, an unmarried man, played chess with Amberley, and 232 00:13:44,560 --> 00:13:46,560 probably played the fool with his wife. 233 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:50,960 All this seems plain sailing, and one would think that there 234 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:53,920 was no more to be said. And yet. 235 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:57,840 And yet, where lies the difficulty? 236 00:13:58,840 --> 00:14:02,480 In my imagination, perhaps. Well, leave it there, Watson. 237 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:06,880 Let us escape from this weary workaday world by the side door 238 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:09,960 of music. Karina sings to night at the 239 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:15,280 Albert Hall, and we still have time to dress, dine and enjoy in 240 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:18,040 the morning. I was up the times, but some 241 00:14:18,040 --> 00:14:21,960 toast crumbs and two empty egg shells told me that my companion 242 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:25,240 was earlier still. I found a scribbled note upon 243 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:28,360 the table. Dear Watson, there are one or 244 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:31,600 two points of contact which I should wish to establish with 245 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:35,080 Mr. Josiah Amberley. When I have done so, we can 246 00:14:35,080 --> 00:14:39,400 dismiss the case or not. I would only ask you to be on 247 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:43,400 hand about 3:00, as I conceive it possible that I may want you. 248 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:48,280 SH. I saw nothing of Holmes all day, 249 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:53,000 but at the hour named he returned grave, preoccupied, and 250 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:55,920 aloof. At such times it was wiser to 251 00:14:55,920 --> 00:15:00,000 leave him to himself. Has Amberly been here yet? 252 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:06,440 No, Ah, I am expecting him. He was not disappointed, for 253 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:09,920 presently the old fellow arrived with a very worried and puzzled 254 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:11,880 expression upon his austere face. 255 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:16,360 I've had a telegram, Mr. Holmes, I can make nothing of it. 256 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:19,440 He handed it over, and Holmes read it aloud. 257 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:24,680 Come at once, without fail can give you information as to your 258 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:29,360 recent loss. Elman, The Vicarage despatched 259 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:32,280 at 210 from little Turlington, said Holmes. 260 00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:36,200 A Little Turlington is in Essex, I believe, not far from Frinton. 261 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:39,120 Well, of course you will start at once. 262 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:42,200 This is evidently from a responsible person, the vicar of 263 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:44,640 the place. Where is my Crockford? 264 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:51,120 Yes, here we have him, JC Elman, MA living of Moss Moor. 265 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:54,840 Come, little Pearlington. Look up the trains, Watson. 266 00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:58,320 There's one at 520 from Liverpool Street. 267 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:01,120 Excellent. You had best go with him, 268 00:16:01,120 --> 00:16:03,320 Watson. He may need help or advice. 269 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:08,000 Clearly we have come to a crisis in this affair, but our client 270 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:10,240 seemed by no means eager to start. 271 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:13,800 It's perfectly absurd, Mr. Holmes, he said. 272 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:16,920 What can this man possibly know of what has occurred? 273 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:21,000 It is a waste of time and money. He would not have telegraphed to 274 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:22,680 you if he did not know something. 275 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:24,880 Why are at once that you are coming? 276 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:29,600 I don't think I shall go. Holmes assumed his sternest 277 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:32,520 aspect. It would make the worst possible 278 00:16:32,520 --> 00:16:35,520 impression both on the police and upon myself. 279 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:40,080 Mr. Amberley, if when so obvious a clue arose, you should refuse 280 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:43,000 to follow it up. We should feel that you were not 281 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:45,120 really in earnest in this investigation. 282 00:16:46,160 --> 00:16:48,600 Our client seemed horrified at the suggestion. 283 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:53,160 Why, of course, I shall go, if you look at it that way, said 284 00:16:53,160 --> 00:16:55,240 he. On the face of it, it seems 285 00:16:55,240 --> 00:16:58,160 absurd to suppose that this Parson knows anything. 286 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:02,440 But if you think, I do think, said Holmes, with emphasis. 287 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:05,319 And so we were launched upon our journey. 288 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:09,119 Holmes took me aside before we left the room and gave me one 289 00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:11,839 word of counsel which showed that he considered the matter to 290 00:17:11,839 --> 00:17:15,960 be of importance. Whatever you do, see that he 291 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:21,480 really does go, said he. Should he break away or return, 292 00:17:21,839 --> 00:17:24,880 get to the nearest telephone exchange and send the single 293 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:28,319 word bolted. I will arrange here that it 294 00:17:28,319 --> 00:17:33,080 shall reach me wherever I am. Little Pearlington is not an 295 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:35,880 easy place to reach, for it is on a branch line. 296 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:39,160 My remembrance of the journey is not a pleasant one, for the 297 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:43,720 weather was hot, the train slow, and my companion sullen and 298 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:47,240 silent, hardly talking at all, save to make an occasional 299 00:17:47,240 --> 00:17:50,440 sardonic remark as to the futility of our proceedings. 300 00:17:51,240 --> 00:17:54,320 When we at last reached the little station, it was a two 301 00:17:54,320 --> 00:17:58,200 mile drive before we came to the Vicarage, where a big, solemn, 302 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:01,480 rather pompous clergyman received us in his study. 303 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:06,360 Our telegram lay before him. Well, gentlemen, he asked, what 304 00:18:06,360 --> 00:18:10,480 can I do for you? We came, I explained, in answer 305 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:13,240 to your wire. My wire? 306 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:17,360 I've sent no wire. I mean the wire which you sent 307 00:18:17,360 --> 00:18:20,200 to Mr. Josiah Amberly about his wife and his money. 308 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:25,200 If this is a joke, Sir, it is a very questionable one, said the 309 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,040 vicar angrily. I have never heard of the 310 00:18:28,040 --> 00:18:31,680 gentleman you name, and I have not sent a wire to anyone. 311 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:35,360 Our client and I looked at each other in amazement. 312 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:39,000 Perhaps there is some mistake, said I. 313 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:44,640 Are there perhaps 2 vicarages? Here is the wire itself, signed 314 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:47,640 Elman and dated from the Vicarage. 315 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:51,960 There is only one Vicarage, Sir, and only one vicar. 316 00:18:52,440 --> 00:18:56,240 And this wire is a scandalous forgery, the origin of which 317 00:18:56,480 --> 00:18:59,000 shall certainly be investigated by the police. 318 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:03,080 Meanwhile, I can see no possible object in prolonging this 319 00:19:03,080 --> 00:19:06,800 interview. So Mr. Amberley and I found 320 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:10,400 ourselves on the roadside in what seemed to me to be the most 321 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:13,840 primitive village in England. We made for the Telegraph 322 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:16,000 office, but it was already closed. 323 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:20,560 There was a telephone, however, in the little railway arms, and 324 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:23,840 by it I got in touch with Holmes, who shared in our 325 00:19:23,840 --> 00:19:25,680 amazement at the result of our journey. 326 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:29,480 Most singular, said the distant voice. 327 00:19:29,960 --> 00:19:33,320 Most remarkable. I much fear, my dear Watson, 328 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:35,520 that there is no return train to night. 329 00:19:36,120 --> 00:19:39,800 I have unwittingly condemned you to the horrors of a country inn. 330 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:44,920 However, there is always nature, Watson, Nature and Josiah 331 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:47,600 Amberley. You can be in close commune with 332 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,480 both. I heard his dry chuckle as he 333 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,720 turned away. It was soon apparent to me that 334 00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:57,360 my companion's reputation as a miser was not undeserved. 335 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:01,280 He had grumbled at the expense of the journey, had insisted 336 00:20:01,280 --> 00:20:05,360 upon travelling third class, and was now clamorous in his 337 00:20:05,360 --> 00:20:09,120 objections to the hotel bill. Next morning, when we did at 338 00:20:09,120 --> 00:20:12,720 last arrive in London, it was hard to say which of us was in 339 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:16,600 the worst humor. You had best take Baker St. as 340 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:20,320 we pass, said I, Mr. Holmes, may have some fresh instructions. 341 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:23,760 If they are not worth more than the last ones, they are not of 342 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:27,000 much use, said Amberley, with a malevolent scowl. 343 00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:29,520 None the less he kept me company. 344 00:20:29,960 --> 00:20:33,200 I had already warned Holmes by telegram of the hour of our 345 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:36,920 arrival, but we found a message waiting that he was in Lewisham 346 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:41,680 and would expect us there. That was a surprise, but an even 347 00:20:41,680 --> 00:20:44,600 greater 1 was to find that he was not alone in the sitting 348 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:48,080 room of our client. A stern looking impassive man 349 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:52,440 sat beside him, a dark man with grey tinted glasses and a large 350 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:55,200 Masonic pin projecting from his tie. 351 00:20:56,360 --> 00:20:59,400 This is my friend, Mr. Barker. Said Holmes. 352 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:02,800 He has been interesting himself. Also in your business, Mr. 353 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:07,880 Josiah Amberly, though we have been working independently, but 354 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:10,000 we both have the same question to ask you. 355 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:15,160 Mr. Amberly sat down heavily. He sensed impending danger. 356 00:21:15,640 --> 00:21:18,880 I read it in his straining eyes and his twitching features. 357 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:23,400 What is the question Mr. Holmes? Only this. 358 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:28,480 What did you do with the bodies? The man sprang to his feet with 359 00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:31,440 a hoarse scream. He clawed into the air with his 360 00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:34,440 Bony hands. His mouth was open and for the 361 00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:37,160 instant he looked like some horrible bird of prey. 362 00:21:37,640 --> 00:21:41,600 In a flash we got a glimpse of the real Josiah Amberley, a 363 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:45,560 misshapen demon with a soul as distorted as his body. 364 00:21:45,960 --> 00:21:49,680 As he fell back into his chair he clapped his hand to his lips 365 00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:53,600 as if to stifle a cough. Holmes sprang at his throat like 366 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:56,440 a tiger and twisted his face towards the ground. 367 00:21:56,880 --> 00:21:59,840 A white pellet fell from between his gasping lips. 368 00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:06,000 No short cuts, Josiah Amberley. Things must be done decently and 369 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:08,440 in order. What about it, Barker? 370 00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:12,960 I have a cab at the door, said our taciturn companion. 371 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:16,160 It is only a few 100 yards to the station. 372 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:19,320 We will go together. You can stay here, Watson. 373 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:21,640 I shall be back within half an hour. 374 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:26,000 The old colourman had the strength of a lion in that great 375 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:29,200 trunk of his, but he was helpless in the hands of the two 376 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:33,200 experienced manhandlers. Wriggling and twisting, he was 377 00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:37,680 dragged to the waiting cab and I was left to my solitary vigil in 378 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:41,280 the ill omened house. In less time than he had named, 379 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:44,320 however, Holmes was back in company with a smart young 380 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:47,960 police inspector. I've left Barker to look after 381 00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:52,120 the formalities, said Holmes. You had not met Barker Watson? 382 00:22:52,120 --> 00:22:54,800 He is my hated rival upon the Surrey shore. 383 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:58,600 When you said a tall, dark man, it was not difficult for me to 384 00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:01,920 complete the picture. He has several good cases to his 385 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:06,160 credit, has he not, Inspector? He has certainly interfered 386 00:23:06,160 --> 00:23:08,720 several times. The inspector answered with 387 00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:12,040 reserve. His methods are irregular, no 388 00:23:12,040 --> 00:23:15,560 doubt, like my own. The irregulars are useful 389 00:23:15,560 --> 00:23:18,560 sometimes, you know. You, for example, with your 390 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:21,280 compulsory warning about whatever he said being used 391 00:23:21,280 --> 00:23:24,600 against him, could never have bluffed this Rascal into what is 392 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:29,240 virtually A confession. Perhaps not, but we get there 393 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:32,280 all the same. Mr. Holmes, don't imagine that 394 00:23:32,280 --> 00:23:35,720 we had not formed our own views of this case, and that we would 395 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:37,680 not have laid our hands on our man. 396 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:41,320 You will excuse us for feeling sore when you jump in with 397 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:44,920 methods which we cannot use, and so rob us of the credit. 398 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:48,040 There shall be no such robbery, McKinnon. 399 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:51,920 I assure you that I efface myself from now onwards. 400 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:56,160 And as to Barker, he has done nothing save what I told him. 401 00:23:57,000 --> 00:23:59,640 The inspector seemed considerably relieved. 402 00:24:00,120 --> 00:24:02,360 That is very handsome of you, Mr. Holmes. 403 00:24:03,040 --> 00:24:06,720 Praise or blame can matter little to you, but it is very 404 00:24:06,720 --> 00:24:09,320 different to us when the newspapers begin to ask 405 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:13,200 questions. Quite so, but they are pretty 406 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:16,920 sure to ask questions anyhow, so it would be as well to have 407 00:24:16,920 --> 00:24:20,040 answers. What do you say, for example, 408 00:24:20,040 --> 00:24:23,320 when the intelligent and enterprising reporter asks you 409 00:24:23,640 --> 00:24:28,160 what the exact points were which aroused your suspicion and 410 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:31,560 finally gave you a certain conviction as to the real facts? 411 00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:36,480 The inspector looked puzzled. We don't seem to have got any 412 00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:40,600 real facts yet, Mr. Holmes. You say that the prisoner, in 413 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:44,320 the presence of three witnesses, practically confessed by trying 414 00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:47,360 to commit suicide that he had murdered his wife and her lover. 415 00:24:48,080 --> 00:24:52,120 What other facts have you? Have you arranged for a search? 416 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:54,720 There are three constables on their way. 417 00:24:55,400 --> 00:24:57,640 Then you will soon get the clearest fact of all. 418 00:24:57,880 --> 00:25:02,240 The bodies cannot be far away. Try the Cellars and the garden. 419 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:05,200 It should not take long to dig up the likely places. 420 00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:07,680 This house is older than the water pipes. 421 00:25:07,880 --> 00:25:10,160 There must be a disused well somewhere. 422 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:13,880 Try your luck there. But how did you know of it and 423 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:18,000 how was it done? I'll show you first how it was 424 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:21,680 done and then I will give the explanation which is due to you 425 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:25,320 and even more to my long-suffering friend here who 426 00:25:25,320 --> 00:25:29,360 has been invaluable throughout. But first I would give you an 427 00:25:29,360 --> 00:25:31,480 insight into this man's mentality. 428 00:25:31,920 --> 00:25:36,680 It is a very unusual 1, so much so that I think his destination 429 00:25:36,680 --> 00:25:39,440 is more likely to be broad More than the scaffold. 430 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:44,040 He has to a high degree the sort of mind which one associates 431 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:47,520 with the medieval Italian nature rather than with the modern 432 00:25:47,520 --> 00:25:50,920 Britain. He was a miserable miser who 433 00:25:50,920 --> 00:25:54,480 made his wife so wretched by his niggerly ways that she was a 434 00:25:54,480 --> 00:25:58,840 ready prey for any adventurer. Such a one came upon the scene, 435 00:25:58,840 --> 00:26:02,840 and the person of this chess playing Doctor Amberley excelled 436 00:26:02,840 --> 00:26:06,200 at chess. 1 Mark Watson of a scheming mind. 437 00:26:06,680 --> 00:26:09,680 Like all misers, he was a jealous man, and his jealousy 438 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:14,280 became a frantic mania. Rightly or wrongly, he suspected 439 00:26:14,280 --> 00:26:16,960 an intrigue. He determined to have his 440 00:26:16,960 --> 00:26:20,680 revenge, and he planned it with diabolical cleverness. 441 00:26:21,120 --> 00:26:24,160 Come here. Holmes LED us along the passage 442 00:26:24,160 --> 00:26:27,600 with as much certainty as if he had lived in the house, and 443 00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:29,760 halted at the open door of the strong room. 444 00:26:30,320 --> 00:26:32,840 Who? What an awful smell of paint, 445 00:26:33,040 --> 00:26:37,360 cried the Inspector. That was our first clue, said 446 00:26:37,360 --> 00:26:39,720 Holmes. You can thank Doctor Watson's 447 00:26:39,720 --> 00:26:43,080 observation for that, though he failed to draw the inference. 448 00:26:43,560 --> 00:26:48,000 It set my foot upon the trail. Why should this man at such a 449 00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:50,960 time be filling his house with strong odours? 450 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:54,760 Obviously to cover some other smell which he wished to 451 00:26:54,760 --> 00:26:59,720 conceal, some guilty smell which would suggest suspicions. 452 00:27:00,560 --> 00:27:04,520 Then came the idea of a room such as you see here, with iron 453 00:27:04,520 --> 00:27:08,520 door and shutter, A hermetically sealed room. 454 00:27:09,160 --> 00:27:12,440 Put those two facts together, and whither do they lead? 455 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:16,800 I could only determine that by examining the house myself. 456 00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:21,000 I was already certain that the case was serious, for I had 457 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:24,760 examined the box office chart at the Haymarket Theatre, another 458 00:27:24,760 --> 00:27:29,080 of Doctor Watson's bull's eyes, and ascertained that neither B30 459 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:33,400 nor 32 of the upper circle had been occupied that night. 460 00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:38,520 Therefore, Amberley had not been to the theatre, and his alibi 461 00:27:38,520 --> 00:27:42,000 fell to the ground. He made a bad slip when he 462 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:45,080 allowed my astute friend to notice the number of the seat 463 00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:49,360 taken for his wife. The question now arose how I 464 00:27:49,360 --> 00:27:51,680 might be able to examine the house. 465 00:27:52,520 --> 00:27:56,200 I sent an agent to the most impossible village I could think 466 00:27:56,200 --> 00:28:00,600 of, and summoned my man to it at such an hour that he could not 467 00:28:00,600 --> 00:28:04,320 possibly get back. To prevent any miscarriage. 468 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:08,640 Doctor Watson accompanied him. The good vicar's name I took, of 469 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:12,120 course, out of my Crockford. Do I make it all clear to you? 470 00:28:13,080 --> 00:28:17,440 It is masterly, said the inspector in an odd voice. 471 00:28:18,240 --> 00:28:21,440 There being No Fear of interruption, I proceeded to 472 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:24,440 burgle the house. Burglary has always been an 473 00:28:24,440 --> 00:28:28,360 alternative profession, and I cared to adopt it, and I have 474 00:28:28,360 --> 00:28:30,440 little doubt that I should have come to the front. 475 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:34,800 Observe what I found. You see the gas pipe along the 476 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:36,800 skirting here? Very good. 477 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:41,480 It rises in the angle of the wall and there is a tap here in 478 00:28:41,480 --> 00:28:44,080 the corner. The pipe runs out into the 479 00:28:44,080 --> 00:28:48,760 strong room, as you can see, and ends in that plaster rows in the 480 00:28:48,760 --> 00:28:51,600 centre of the ceiling where it is concealed by the 481 00:28:51,600 --> 00:28:54,840 ornamentation. That end is wide open. 482 00:28:55,480 --> 00:28:59,240 At any moment, by turning the outside tap, the room could be 483 00:28:59,240 --> 00:29:03,680 flooded with gas, door and shutter closed and the tap full 484 00:29:03,680 --> 00:29:05,920 on. I would not give 2 minutes of 485 00:29:05,920 --> 00:29:09,480 conscious sensation to anyone shut up in that little chamber. 486 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:13,200 By what devilish device he decoyed them there I do not 487 00:29:13,200 --> 00:29:16,960 know, but once inside the door they were at his mercy. 488 00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:20,280 The inspector examined the pipe with interest. 489 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:24,360 One of our officers mentioned the smell of gas, said he. 490 00:29:24,800 --> 00:29:28,280 But of course the window and door were opened then, and the 491 00:29:28,280 --> 00:29:30,960 paint or some of it was already about. 492 00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:34,520 He had begun the work of painting the day before, 493 00:29:34,520 --> 00:29:38,160 according to his story. But what next, Mr. Holmes? 494 00:29:39,280 --> 00:29:42,800 Well, then came an incident which was rather unexpected to 495 00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:45,080 myself. I was slipping through the 496 00:29:45,080 --> 00:29:49,120 pantry window in the early dawn when I felt a hand inside my 497 00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:52,840 collar and a voice said. Now you Rascal, what are you 498 00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:56,080 doing in there? When I could twist my head round 499 00:29:56,360 --> 00:29:59,200 I looked into the tinted spectacles of my friend and 500 00:29:59,200 --> 00:30:03,200 rival, Mr. Barker. It was a curious for gathering 501 00:30:03,360 --> 00:30:06,920 and set us both smiling. It seems that he had been 502 00:30:06,920 --> 00:30:10,320 engaged by Doctor Ray Earnest's family to make some 503 00:30:10,320 --> 00:30:14,120 investigations and had come to the same conclusion as to foul 504 00:30:14,120 --> 00:30:16,560 play. He had watched the house for 505 00:30:16,560 --> 00:30:20,480 some days and had spotted Doctor Watson as one of the obviously 506 00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:23,000 suspicious characters who had called there. 507 00:30:23,640 --> 00:30:27,200 He could hardly arrest Watson, but when he saw a man actually 508 00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:31,080 climbing out of the pantry window, there came a limit to 509 00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:33,880 his restraint. Of course I told him how matters 510 00:30:33,880 --> 00:30:36,360 stood, and we continued the case together. 511 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:39,240 Why him? Why not us? 512 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:43,440 Because it was in my mind to put that little test which answered 513 00:30:43,440 --> 00:30:46,560 so admirably. I fear you would not have gone 514 00:30:46,560 --> 00:30:49,680 so far. The inspector smiled. 515 00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:53,560 Well, maybe not. I understand that. 516 00:30:53,560 --> 00:30:56,280 I have your word, Mr. Holmes, that you step right out of the 517 00:30:56,280 --> 00:30:59,800 case now, and that you turn all your results over to us. 518 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:02,720 Certainly that is always my custom. 519 00:31:03,960 --> 00:31:06,120 Well, in the name of the Force, I thank you. 520 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:09,880 It seems a clear case, as you put it, and there can't be much 521 00:31:09,880 --> 00:31:13,640 difficulty over the bodies. I'll show you a grim little bit 522 00:31:13,640 --> 00:31:17,560 of evidence, said Holmes. And I am sure Ambery himself 523 00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:20,640 never observed it. You'll get results, Inspector, 524 00:31:20,640 --> 00:31:24,080 by always putting yourself in the other fellow's place and 525 00:31:24,080 --> 00:31:26,320 thinking what you would do yourself. 526 00:31:26,800 --> 00:31:29,080 It takes some imagination, but it pays. 527 00:31:29,680 --> 00:31:33,000 Now we will suppose that you were shut up in this little 528 00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:37,480 room, had not 2 minutes to live, but wanted to get even with the 529 00:31:37,480 --> 00:31:40,600 fiend who was probably mocking at you from the other side of 530 00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:42,720 the door. What would you do? 531 00:31:43,640 --> 00:31:47,920 Write a message Exactly. You would like to tell people 532 00:31:47,920 --> 00:31:51,240 how you died. No use writing on paper that 533 00:31:51,240 --> 00:31:53,640 would be seen if you wrote on the wall. 534 00:31:53,640 --> 00:31:58,360 Some eye might rest upon it. Now look here, just above the 535 00:31:58,360 --> 00:32:02,240 skirting is scribbled with a purple indelible pencil. 536 00:32:02,920 --> 00:32:06,840 We, that's all. What do you make of that? 537 00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:10,040 Well, it's only a foot above the ground. 538 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:13,000 The poor devil was on the floor and dying when he wrote it. 539 00:32:13,440 --> 00:32:15,520 He lost his senses before he could finish. 540 00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:18,880 He was writing. We were murdered. 541 00:32:19,280 --> 00:32:23,000 That's how I read it. If you find an indelible pencil 542 00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:25,920 on the body, we'll look out for it. 543 00:32:25,920 --> 00:32:30,120 You may be sure. But those securities, clearly 544 00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:33,600 there was no robbery at all. And yet he did possess those 545 00:32:33,600 --> 00:32:35,600 bonds. We verified that. 546 00:32:36,360 --> 00:32:39,240 You may be sure he has hidden them in a safe place. 547 00:32:39,520 --> 00:32:42,640 When the whole elopement had passed into history, he would 548 00:32:42,640 --> 00:32:45,520 suddenly discover them, had announced that the guilty couple 549 00:32:45,720 --> 00:32:49,400 had relented and sent back the plunder, or had dropped it on 550 00:32:49,400 --> 00:32:52,920 the way. You certainly seem to have met 551 00:32:52,920 --> 00:32:55,400 every difficulty, said the inspector. 552 00:32:56,120 --> 00:33:00,160 Of course he was bound to call us in, but why he should have 553 00:33:00,160 --> 00:33:06,160 gone to you I can't understand. Pure Swank, Holmes answered. 554 00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:10,920 He felt so clever and so sure of himself that he imagined no one 555 00:33:10,920 --> 00:33:14,160 could touch him. He could say to any suspicious 556 00:33:14,160 --> 00:33:17,360 neighbor. Look at the steps I have taken. 557 00:33:17,520 --> 00:33:21,360 I have consulted not only the police but even Sherlock Holmes. 558 00:33:21,880 --> 00:33:26,560 The inspector laughed. We, we must forgive your even 559 00:33:26,560 --> 00:33:30,400 Mr. Holmes, said he. It's as Workman like a job as I 560 00:33:30,400 --> 00:33:33,800 can remember. A couple of days later, my 561 00:33:33,800 --> 00:33:37,920 friend tossed across to me a copy of the biweekly N Surrey 562 00:33:37,960 --> 00:33:42,080 Observer under a series of flaming headlines which began 563 00:33:42,320 --> 00:33:46,880 the Haven horror and ended with brilliant police investigation. 564 00:33:47,240 --> 00:33:50,040 There was a packed column of print which gave the first 565 00:33:50,040 --> 00:33:51,920 consecutive account of the affair. 566 00:33:52,480 --> 00:33:54,920 The concluding paragraph is typical of the whole. 567 00:33:55,080 --> 00:33:59,360 It ran thus the remarkable acumen by which Inspector 568 00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:03,040 McKinnon has deduced from the smell of paint that some other 569 00:34:03,040 --> 00:34:08,120 smell, that of gas for example, might be concealed, the bold 570 00:34:08,120 --> 00:34:12,159 deduction that the strong room might also be the death chamber, 571 00:34:12,159 --> 00:34:14,880 and the subsequent inquiry which led to the discovery of the 572 00:34:14,880 --> 00:34:19,480 bodies in a disused well cleverly concealed by a dog 573 00:34:19,480 --> 00:34:23,360 kennel, should live in the history of crime as a standing 574 00:34:23,360 --> 00:34:27,400 example of the intelligence of our professional detectives. 575 00:34:28,719 --> 00:34:32,360 Well, well, McKinnon is a good fellow, said Holmes, with a 576 00:34:32,360 --> 00:34:36,280 tolerant smile. You can file it in our archives, 577 00:34:36,280 --> 00:34:39,239 Watson. Someday the true story may be 578 00:34:39,239 --> 00:34:44,480 told. End of the Adventure of the 579 00:34:44,480 --> 00:34:49,320 Retired Cullerman. End of the case Book of Sherlock 580 00:34:49,320 --> 00:34:51,920 Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.